Planning Commission NOC Delays Key IT Ministry Projects

Two major Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) projects of the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication (MoITT) have been delayed due to the non-issuance of a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Planning Commission, ministry sources confirmed. As a result, no practical work has begun on either project, even as the first quarter of the current fiscal year is set to end on September 30. According to sources, the projects carry a combined cost of less than Rs. 1 billion. Under the rules, the Departmental Development Working Party (DDWP) of the IT Ministry has the authority to approve projects costing under one billion rupees. However, an NOC from the Planning Commission remains a prerequisite for final clearance, causing the delay. One of the stalled projects is the establishment of a Command and Control Fusion Center in Islamabad. The other initiative focuses on the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure under the National AI Development Programme, which aims to set up AI hubs and training centers across the country. These projects are considered vital for the implementation of the National AI Policy, recently approved by the federal government. As part of the policy framework, AI hubs, data centers, and specialized training centers are required to accelerate digital transformation and workforce development. Sources said the Planning Commission is prioritizing mega projects worth several billion rupees, which has slowed down progress on smaller but strategic projects of the IT Ministry. Officials warned that further delays in the execution of these initiatives could harm the government’s “Digital Pakistan” vision and compromise national digital security objectives.